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Home Health Care Defi nitions
HOME HEALTH DEFINITIONS
24 HOUR CARE – Refers to “round the clock treatment” in a home environment. The care may be shared by multiple caregivers or by a single caregiver.
CARDIAC CARE – Refers to services including patient assessment, specifi c diet information, and management of the disease process, medication management and education. Cardiac care is a program designed to help a person with heart disease return to health. Cardiac care may consist of exercise, modifying risk factors to prevent further heart damage, or psychological rehabilitation.
DIABETIC CARE – Refers to services including patient assessment, specifi c diet information, management of the disease process, medication management and education on all the above. Services are provided by Registered Nurse under the supervision of a M.D. Some agencies may have certifi ed diabetic nurse instructors or cardiac care specialty RN’s in their employ.
ENTERAL FEEDING – Enteral feeding, or tube feeding, is a way to deliver nutrients through a tube if you cannot take food or drink through your mouth.
HOUR MINIMUM – The least number of hours a Non-Medical Home Care Agency will be available for hire. Medicare certifi ed Home Health Agencies are not on a specifi ed time frame.
HOSPICE – Refers to a comprehensive program of care to patients and families facing a life threatening illness. Hospice emphasizes palliative rather than curative treatment. The dying are comforted. Professional medical care is given, and sophisticated symptom relief provided.
INTRAVENOUS THERAPY (IV) – Refers to any medical treatments/medications that need to be introduced into the body via a patient’s veins. Numerous IV Therapies can be provided in a patient’s home under supervision of a MD. Some of these include: inter-infective/ antibiotic therapies, hydration therapy, pain management, chemotherapy and central line care and maintenance.
NON-MEDICAL HOME CARE – Assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s), homemaking, companionship and other non-medical in home care. These services are available for hire after, or in conjunction with, Medicare certifi ed services. Private payment, Medicaid and Veterans Benefi ts are a few of the ways personal care can be paid for.
THERAPY SERVICES (ST, PT, OT, RT) – Speech Therapy – Refers to services to assess and treat speech and swallowing disorders. Speech therapy can treat speech, language, cognitive skills or swallowing. Physical Therapy – Refers to services for the treatment and the rehabilitation process where a physical therapist will often stretch, strengthen, facilitate muscles, challenge balance, test coordination abilities, teach home exercise programs and enhance basic mobility skills.
Occupational Therapy – Refers to services to assess and treat patients to improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. Patients may have mental, physical, developmental, or emotional disabilities. Therapists also help them to develop, recover, or maintain daily living and work skills. Respiratory Therapy – Refers to services for care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities associated with the cardiopulmonary system. It may include the therapeutic use of medical gases and their equipment, environmental control systems, humidification, aerosols, ventilator support, bronchi pulmonary drainage and exercise, respiratory rehabilitation, assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and maintenance of natural, artificial, and mechanical airways.
TRACH CARE – Refers to care administered to patients who have undergone a tracheotomy. A tracheotomy is a surgical procedure in which a cut or opening is made in the windpipe (trachea). The surgeon inserts a tube into the opening to bypass an obstruction, allow air to get to the lungs, or remove secretions.
WOUND CARE – Refers to services for providing diagnosis and treatment for ulcers, pressure sores and other wounds. Treatments may include but are not limited to irrigations, dressing, and wound vacs. Some agencies may employ specialty nurses to provide and instruct in care specifically for patients with more complicated wounds.
